Q & A Session – Rights to Retraining after Facility Closes

Ask the Lawyer received the following question (paraphrased for easier reading and clarity) from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience.

Q:

I am employed at a laundry for the Veterans’ administration. We have been understaffed for many months and were recently notified of the closing of the facility. My concern is whether or not we have any rights to retraining or any other methods of assisting us in finding viable employment in the federal system.

A:

If your facility is closed, your agency may reassign you to another facility, or it may invoke RIF procedures. You may receive retraining or assistance in finding another job at the option of the agency. I am hearing a lot about understaffing. Congress has to fix that.

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About Author

Debra L. Roth is a partner at the law firm Shaw Bransford & Roth, a federal employment law firm in Washington, D.C. She is general counsel to the Senior Executives Association and the Federal Managers Association, host of the “FEDtalk” program on Federal News Radio, and a regular contributor to Federal News Radio’s “Federal Drive” morning show. Email your legal questions to lawyer@federaltimes.com.

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